From 10 feet and in Griner and a healthy Fowles are better, from 15 feet in, Charles' handle and strength is better which is a significant aspect in international play more than in the WNBA, from 15 feet out Moore, and Catchings are better (and better threats to shoot the 3) and they are pretty good from 15 feet in as well and from 15 feet out EDD is in the conversation as well. Perhaps Parker is the most versatile from the arc to the rim on offense and maybe even on defense, but I would not say she is the best in any one of the individual zones. In that respect I would compare her to Stewart - not the best in any one area of the floor but very good in each area.
I agree we have no idea what Geno's preference was and that Parker is both versatile and very talented.
Specific to Angel and Catchings (and Augustus) - they are better perimeter defenders and better perimeter scores and the team is light on guards/wings so that is what they can provide that Candace is not great at.
Specific to Fowles (and Charles and Griner) on offense and defense in half court sets she is better from 10 feet in than Candace and much stronger and better able to handle international centers.
If you are putting together a normal team with 5 really good starters and maybe a couple of sixth men types, and then developmental and filler players, having a really talented player that is really good from the arc to the rim is a huge bonus especially for a 30+ game season. If you are putting together a USA NT team of 10 great starters and 2 developmental very talented players, then choosing great players that are more specialized in particular areas of the floor for specific teams in an 8 game tournament may make more sense.
I agree about Catchings vs. Parker this year - if the only consideration was the actual product on the floor I think Catchings is not as good a choice as Parker, but given everything Catchings has meant to WBB and the USA team and her still considerable talent and skill, I can understand completely why she is on this team. I think for the actual players and not the fan base, it would have been more shocking if Catchings were left off this team.
Tina Charles is a better center than Fowles. Totality of the game- Tina is terrific defensively and offensively. Looking at their entire game Tina is better and I would take her over Fowles at center or power forward. This doesn't mean Fowles is not good. Fowles is terrific but Tina is better.
As for Parker she has superior handle and finishng (what I mean by "finishing" I mean as a slasher she is a better finisher) than Maya or EDD. Catchings has same real good handle or maybe better handle but imo doesn't fisnih as well as Parker. Parker averaged over 6.3 assits a game and just 2.5 trunovers. That is far superior to Catchings because she can create more at this point in her career. I remember Geno saying a player that gets 2.5 tiems more assists vs turnovers that is outstanding (not that I needed him to tell me that). No even the great Maya or EDD have those assist to turnover numbers. Parker isn't averaging over 6 assists a game because she is only low posting and then gets doubled off of that. She's a slasher with the ball in her hands and could easily feed EDD and DT for 3point shots. Parker's handle for her size and her ability to pass (as indicated by assists vs turnovers) is exceptional and stands out over any 3/4 player regarding THAT specific skill.
And I don't think BS belongs in this conversation. I reserve the right to change my mind!!
I'd be extremely surprised if you saw BS get decent minutes vs a team that threatens Team USA.
IMO part of the issue with Parker is that she is more of a "dribbler." Many of us-- me included don't really like "the dribbler." And Tina, and Maya and EDD - they aren't "dribblers" though Tina and EDD can back their defender. They can dribble certainly and slash" but they aren't that. Parker is-- which makes her unique. maya can slahst not really a slasher. Though she is similar to Catchings in that regard. I know what I've seen in both the WNBA and wh tI'v seen in 2012 Olympics.
Geno's "genius" moved her to the 6th man. For this particular team imo -- she would be spectacular in that role. I saw it in 2012. No power forward can run a break like she can while being a threat to finish while having her type of handle. Get her at the top of the key, or at the ftl line, she is a filthy triple-threat that can become more dangerous with shooters surrounding her. I'm not saying she plays "30" minutes. But imo if there was anyone you can look at and say "That player can change the momentum" coming off the bench, Parker would be that.
If she wouldn't accept being 6th man, then for me no problem you are off the team. Her dribbling, a basketball fundamental, is tremendous for her size and I can't believe it can't be utilized while she has shooters surrounding her at three other positions.
